Ottawa Reviews

[porschesrule]

Here's a place to start off the new year with reviews from the Tour's first 2013 stop - Ottawa.

[LiamM]

It was great to see Billy again and in my hometown. Here are a few random observations.

Tonight Ben did the piano flip. Thanks, Ben. That's my favorite single moment in the show.

Joel Newsome played George. I liked his unique take on the role.

Craig Bennett played Dad. He's a bit angrier than Rich Hebert, but still gives a touching Deep into the Ground.

There were a few minor dialog changes. Keeping things fresh for the fans, I suppose.

[kport]

Not exactly positive....hardly a review. More an unsubstantiated whinge.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainm ... story.html

[BEtourfan]

Not exactly positive....hardly a review. More an unsubstantiated whinge.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainm ... story.html

Suspiciously terse review ... perhaps he didn't have much time to write.

[rob_hanson1979]

I have a feeling he didn't even go to the show. Any proper reviewer of a musical who takes the time to go to a show would write more than 1 paragraph about it (the other paragraphs were about the plot and how to get tickets).

[porschesrule]

kport wrote:
Not exactly positive....hardly a review. More an unsubstantiated whinge.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainm ... story.html
Suspiciously terse review ... perhaps he didn't have much time to write.

Here's perhaps an updated version of the review -- the complete one this time:

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainm ... story.html

[rob_hanson1979]

Well at least we know he showed up...

[kport]

kport wrote:
Not exactly positive....hardly a review. More an unsubstantiated whinge.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainm ... story.html
Suspiciously terse review ... perhaps he didn't have much time to write.

Here's perhaps an updated version of the review -- the complete one this time:

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainm ... story.html

It must be dark, somewhere in Ottawa, these days. I remember it being a happy, bright, optimistic place. I guess this reviewer's glasses were not tinted a rosy colour...but as black as a lump of Durham coal.

[rob_hanson1979]

The weather may be cold, but the sun was shining all day, and I saw a rainbow this morning. So no matter what that reviewer thinks, nothing can squash the excitement I feel right now, and I am only 3 hours and 21 minutes from curtain. I am giddy with excitement, and I really can't sit still!

[rob_hanson1979]

Hey, so I was at the wednesday show tonight, and it was very good. I had a lot of family and friends there... 40 to be exact. We had a great time. The theatre was very full and I think the crowd was great.
So Drew was Billy tonight, it was only his 6th time playing Billy, he told me, and I thought he did a wonderful job. He looks a big younger than your average Billy, and I was a bit worried that he might be green since he was so new. However I can assure you he wears Billy's ballet shoes as well as anyone else. His singing is great and his dance talent is obvious. I hope you all get a chance to see him!
There were a couple technical issues I noticed tonight. First, Drews hair is quite short and so his microphone is very obvious.
Also, someone's mic was a bit loose or something. So every time they moved, you could hear the mic bang against their skin. Not the end of the world, but it was noticeable.

Tonight Craig Bennett played Dad. He was quite good. His looks are a bit different from the typical actor who plays Billy's dad, but he was really believable in the part. I'm sure he could take over the role one day.

Janet Dickenson is wonderful as Mrs Wilkinson as is Patti Perkins as Grandma. I saw them both with this touring cast in Des Moines, and I'm glad to see them continuing the roles.

Well those are my thoughts from tonight... Maybe I'll think of more in the morning when I'm not so tired!